VACorps

I am very happy with my decision to come to Cape Town for my first internship experience within the field of human rights and public interest law. My decision was based on several reasons, but the main one was that the work being done in South Africa in the field of human rights was very inspiring to me. I felt this was the perfect place to observe how human rights issues were being addressed within an organization. Doing an internship in Cape Town with the human rights law internship allowed me to experience the type of work attorneys and candidate attorneys were involved in. I am very grateful for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, through the research, notes, and tasks assigned to me within the organization.

One of the most valuable experiences for me at the human rights law internship was getting to know the people who worked there and hearing their experiences. I also appreciated the chance to visit schools in different areas of Cape Town to understand the variations within the school systems. The organization had a very welcoming environment; everyone was open to talking with and getting to know the interns and allowed us to be part of their work. This was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend future interns take the opportunity to work there.

Living in Cape Town was also a wonderful experience. I met many amazing people and formed friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. I will miss everyone and the vibrant atmosphere that Cape Town offered. I stayed in Cape Town for about five weeks, and although I managed to experience many events, places, and cultures within the city, I would recommend future interns stay a bit longer to fully explore and enjoy everything they want to, as time flies by quickly!

The weekly activities offered by VACorps included a wide range of experiences, from surfing and visiting Seal Island to hiking and wine tasting. Combined with cultural nights where we learned about South African traditions such as beaded jewelry, food, and films, these experiences allowed me to get to know Cape Town in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to by just visiting as a tourist. I am grateful to the VACorps staff for being kind, fun, and welcoming, and for introducing me to amazing people and the city of Cape Town. I will never forget this experience!

I am so happy that I chose to intern abroad in Cape Town with VAC; looking back, it was definitely a highlight of my Gap Year. Cape Town is an incredible city, rich in history and full of fun activities. Obs, specifically, has a lot of really cute coffee shops and thrift stores, and I loved exploring Lower Main.

Living in an environment surrounded by other like-minded Gap Year students who were passionate about their respective internships was truly inspiring. Even though we all had separate internships, we were experiencing Cape Town together, and I loved hearing about the different work everyone was doing.

I am particularly grateful for my time working with my internship supervisor. I learned so much from spending time in the office, attending high court sessions, writing and drafting opinions, reading cases, researching case law, and sitting in on client meetings. Witnessing my supervisor in every aspect of his job was an incredible learning experience. It was fascinating to learn about South African Law, especially after studying American Law, and being able to compare and contrast the similarities and differences. Some of the highlights of my internship included sitting in on client meetings and researching and analyzing case law relevant to the cases my supervisor was working on.

I not only learned a lot from my internship but also gained valuable life skills during this experience—like managing my free time, living with others, and navigating day-to-day life in another country. I stayed for 8 weeks, but I definitely could have stayed longer. It was the perfect amount of time to settle into my internship and environment, as well as do all the activities I wanted. Anything less would have been too short.

My favorite activities involved spending time outdoors—whether it was hiking, going to the beach, or just exploring. The sunsets in Cape Town are incredible, and I would highly recommend going to the beach for a sunset picnic. Additionally, the VAC staff were so kind and helpful; they were always there if I needed anything.

From my very first day and night in Cape Town, I felt a deep sense of nostalgia. Whether gazing out of my bedroom window, strolling the streets of Obs, or absorbing the air, water, and mountains, it felt as though I had been here before. This sensation was both confusing and comforting. Even before meeting the people who would become my friends and family, I felt a strong sense of belonging.

This feeling was only reinforced during orientation and throughout the following three months. As I explored the city on tours and rode the red bus, I felt my life unfolding and expanding in ways I had never experienced before. I was introduced to new sights, sounds, thoughts, and emotions—nearly overwhelming, yet empowering as I saw myself growing more capable.

I worked at a communications agency focused on partnering with brands that drive positive change. The environment was incredibly welcoming, inclusive, and spiritually enriching, with a team dedicated to improving the lives of others. Although the hours were manageable, the impact was profound. The office was small and intimate, providing a comforting, homey atmosphere.

Lucky opportunities allowed me to travel and meet fascinating people across Cape Town and South Africa. For instance, I accompanied my boss to George for a two-day shoot in February, which offered a chance to explore the countryside and broaden my perspective on both South Africa and myself. I also completed a short documentary about gardening in the townships, which is a valuable addition to my filmmaking portfolio and a key marketing tool for Life Brand and the client.

As I continued to embrace new activities, experiences, and people, I immersed myself fully in every moment. Now, three months later, I am the same person I was when I arrived, but only because of my time here. The coincidences and experiences make me wonder if this was all chance or fate. I am profoundly grateful for this place, these people, and this experience.

VAC is such an amazing program! Through this program, I have been connected to great people, adventures, and an amazing internship. I’m so grateful for this experience. I learned confidence communication, faith and gained insight into new cultures and the way of life in Cape Town.

When I was doing research VAC was so clear and made the process so easy. It stayed true to its words and made my stay so smooth and fun! Thank you to all the vac people!

To others who will be joining this program in the future, make the most of your time! It will go by fast but dive into it quickly and deeply. Make connections with your coworkers they are amazing people.

I came to Cape Town with an open mind, eager to learn about everything it had to offer. Now, as this program comes to an end, I find myself completely in love with this city. I spent my days at the beautiful beaches and participated in so many exciting activities through VACorps. One of the highlights for me was the trip along the Garden Route. I went bungee jumping, kayaked through stunning cliffs, walked with elephants, and had an incredible bonding experience with my peers on this program.

While exploring the breathtaking sights of Cape Town was a lot of fun, I also had the privilege of interning at GAPA. Working closely with the elderly women in Khayelitsha was such a rewarding experience. I deeply value being a part of an incredibly close-knit, loving community.

I’m honestly so sad to be leaving Cape Town because there’s still so much left for me to see and do. But I know for sure—I’ll definitely be coming back!